What are the rules to commander deck?

What are the Rules to Commander Deck?

Commander is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that allows players to create unique and exciting decks. However, with great creative freedom comes a set of rules that govern the construction and gameplay of these decks. In this article, we’ll delve into the rules of Commander decks and provide a comprehensive guide for players of all levels.

The Basics

Before we dive into the specific rules, let’s start with the basics. A Commander deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including the Commander. This 100-card singleton deck can include any combination of spells, creatures, and other cards, as long as they are not duplicates of each other.

Deck Construction

When building a Commander deck, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Commander: Your Commander is the central card of your deck and will be the focal point of your gameplay. Choose a Commander that fits your playstyle and the theme of your deck.
• Color Identity: Your deck’s color identity is determined by the colors of the cards in your deck, including the Commander. This means that if your Commander has a specific color identity (e.g., mono-white), your deck must only include cards that share the same color identity.
• Singleton: As mentioned earlier, each card in your deck must be a singleton, meaning there are no duplicates of any given card.

Gameplay

Now that we’ve covered the basics of Commander deck construction, let’s talk about gameplay. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:

• Commander Tax: When you cast your Commander from the command zone, you’ll pay an additional 2 colorless mana for each previous time you’ve cast it that game. This is known as the Commander tax.
• Command Zone: The command zone is a special zone on the battlefield where your Commander will reside when it’s not in play. You can return your Commander to the command zone at any time, either by casting it from exile or by sacrificing it to its own ability.
• Exile: Cards that are exiled will be removed from the game and will not be in your deck or on the battlefield. You can return exiled cards to your deck or the command zone at any time.

Additional Rules

Here are a few additional rules to keep in mind when playing Commander:

• Timing: Spells and abilities with timing restrictions (e.g., "during the first main phase") will function as normal, even when your Commander is in play.
• State-based actions: State-based actions (e.g., "regaining life") will only trigger when your Commander is in play.
• Mana abilities: Mana abilities (e.g., "add 1 green mana") will only function when your Commander is in play.

Conclusion

Building and playing a Commander deck can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to understand the rules that govern this format. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to creating and playing a successful Commander deck.

Appendix

Here are some additional resources for Commander players:

• Commander FAQ: This is a comprehensive FAQ from Wizards of the Coast that answers many common questions about the Commander format.
• Commander banned and restricted list: This list provides information on which cards are banned or restricted in Commander, and why.
• Commander strategy guides: These guides provide detailed advice on how to play and build Commander decks for specific strategies and playstyles.

Table: Common Commander Deck Building Mistakes

By following these guidelines and tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating and playing a successful Commander deck. Happy gaming!